The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-02

"Well," said to the mother, "it is as
I thought. The corsets and the elastics,
and the tight, narrow-soled, high -heeled
boots are the cause of much of the mis-
chief here. The corsets alone prevent
her breathing right; have brought the
muscles of her waist into disuse; have in
terfered with the circulation of her blood,
by pressing upon the very fountain.head
OF circulation, the heart; have weaken
ed her power of digestion by making it
impossible for the stomach to dilate and
contract with freedom; have undermined
her nervous vitality by pressing upon
her nerve centers. You have, too, heat
ed her about the waist unduly by the
disproportionate number of thicknesees
over that region compared with other
parts of the body, parts that should have
more instead of less heat, because of the
greater distance from the center OF cir
culation. Look from the knees to the
feet one thickness of thin cotton; the
under fannels extend only just below
the knee. Now count the layers of cloth
at the waist; undervest, chemise, corset
OF the cloth in double, corset cover, lin
ed dress waist, to say nothing of various
bands; and over all, drawing all into the
highest possible compass, is this broad
unyielding leather belt How can flesh
and blood, muscle, nerve and bone under
this heat and pressure remain true to the
functions assigned them!
'This heavy quilted skirt, too, that
Fashion has again brought into wear, is
especially Objectionable, hanging as it
does from her slender hips; and when
wet around the bottom it is too thick to
dry quickly, and damp ankles is the re-
suit OF walk on wet morning."
Nothing is right, it seems" said the
mother half vexed. "And still what am
1 to do? Her clothes are made for the
winter. 1t is impossible that I should
go to the expense of refitting her. Nor"
added she, shall "enjoy seeing her a
dowdy."
IL see. But you can do much with
needle thread and buttons. Unite her
undervest and drawers with buttons
and buttonholes. Take the steels and
bones from the corset, and button or
hook it. Add to it shoulder straps and
also buttons to button on her skirts and
side elastics to hold her stockings up, tax
ing care that this attachment is made back
OF the prominent hip bones. Set her boot
buttons forward until you can put your
finger between boot and stocking, re-
place the heels with broad ones only a
half an inch high. She must wear over
shoes with these boots, but when new
ones are bought let them be heavy, to
avoid overshoes. She must also wear
leggings until you buy thick stockings.
Meantime I will give you the adj
dress OF some hygienic outftters in wo-
mems wear, SO you may acquaint yourself
with BEAUTIFULLY cut garments, before
dressing her for the summer. You will
be delighted to see how few pieces are
needed, and that wearing them your
daughter may still be elegantly dressed"
Il know one thing, mother" said the
daughter, 81 can't go to the gymnasium
and then feel comfortable in these
clothes next day. This morning I felt
as if l had outgrown every single thing
I put on"
L felt, as she spoke thus, that, once set
in the true ways, the child herself would
right her wrongs. So with real interest
in her, I asked them to come once more,
and talk with me about what she ate.-
Health and Strength Papers.